Sule Paya, Rangoon

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This place is not to be missed.

A lovely pagoda in the centre of downtown - a place of calm in the middle of hubbub.

As an aside, when I paid my $2.00 US entry fee, they immediately ironed the bank notes :)

Wherever you live in Yangon , firstly go to the city center ( Sule Paya ) by bus , to get Sule Paya you can take any bus in Yangon , ( be sure the way ! ) Take the Photos of Sule Paya with city view and you can also take the photos of Yangon City Hall . At the in front of the city hall , take the (48 No bus ) to Botahtaung Paya . See the relic of Buddha and take the 48 No bus (to go Tawmwe Direction ) again and get off at the ChaukHtetKyi bus stop for see foot Printing of Buddha .
From this bus-stop take the (235 no bus ) and get off at (Thone Lan ) Bus stop to go to the Shwe dagon Pagoda .

Located in the center of a major downtown crossroads ( Sule Paya Road and Mahabandoola Road) this 2,200 years old Pagoda is used as a milestone wich all addresses to the north are measured. An octagonal shaped pagoda with a tall golden Zedi (46 mts high) is said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha. Actually is surrounded by several small shops, a pleasant stop after visiting the crowded streets of Yangon´s downtown.

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Sule pagoda is the landmark of downtown Yangon (like the Arc de Triumph in Paris) located at the junction of Sule Pagoda Road and Mahabandoola Road. This 48 meter high golden dome is said to be over 2,000 years old and said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha. The golden pagoda is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on. It can be reached through four entrances of the four stairways facing four cardinal directions or by two overhead bridges. Despite its significance , we decided not to get in in order to save up time for other sights

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There is no doubt about it, Sule Paya must be the most beautiful traffic roundabout in the world. Standing in the middle of downtown at the junction of two major roads (Sule Paya and Mahabandoola), the 2200 year old paya dominates the surrounding area with it's golden zedi which rises almost 150 feet in the air. Unfortunately, when I visited quite a lot of it was covered in scaffolding for repair, as you can see in the photo.

Around the base of the Paya are a number of small shops.

At the weekend and in the evenings you may well be approached by English speaking students trying to engage you in conversation. It's OK, they are not actually trying to sell you anything, they genuinely just want to practice English.

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Pic 1- Located right in the middle of the city, at a roundabout, this pagoda stands 46m high. Free admission, but those caretaker kept pestering for donation.
Pic 2- A colonial building just beside Mahabandoola garden. Think it is post office, if i m not wrong. Plently of sneaky locals asking tourists for money changing around this area.
Pic 3- This pic was taken on an overhead bridge at Mahabandoola Road. The crowd at 2 side of the road was terrible as everyone was just off from work. Sule Paya was right at the end of the road.
Pic 4- This paranomic pic was taken on the top floor of Sakura tower, which is located opposite of traders hotel. Top floor is actually a coffee house. But the staff there is kind enough to let me take some photo without ordering any drinks. Both Sule and Shwedagon pagoda can be seen over there. BTW, it is closed on Sun.

Likely the first temple that most people will see upon visiting Yangon it is impressive to gaze at, particularly at night. Located in the middle of a round-a-bout in busy downtown Yangon it is nearly impossible to miss this giant golden spire and often serves to give you bearings!

The temple is one of the most visited in Yangon and serves as a meeting place for many locals. It is always thriving with people but you will likely be surprised, as I was, by how few tourists you will see. it is also a place where local tour guides will come and offer their services so if you're interested just wander around and look lost, if not walk around and get lost!

Aside from the cheesy shops, fortune tellers and neon signs that welcome you to Sule the temple itself is quite beautiful and best of all admission is free! Don't forget to take off your shoes before entering the compound (No worries there is a shoe check!)

A Paya (temple) in the City of Yangon.

Because it lies in the middle of a authentic neighbourhood where people live, sell an drink tea, it's more authentic than the touristy Shwedagon out of town.

Don't do it during the hottest hours fo the day: you have to take socks and shoes off and it can be burning hot.